Hendrik Beune and the AHA MEDIA team will be seeing Downtown Eastside Hunger Striker (Formerly) Homeless Dave “weigh-in” and deliver demands to during his March to City Hall

There is a lot going on in the DTES these days and people are willing to work together on a platform of common ground that does not leave out the poor man. How can this be done? Well, campaigns like this are just as important as all the political rallying going on to prepare us for the provincial elections. On a political level we must hand the wishes of the community over to the Mayor and Council and expect them to be respectful of the wishes of the community and follow the plan of development without displacement. So far so good… march on, perhaps stop and think for awhile?

“Gentrification is intensifying; the housing crisis is deepening, and the health of the people and the land are under serious threat. Desperate times call for desperate measures.” -Homeless Dave

Day 14: Downtown Eastside Hunger Striker to “weigh-in” and deliver demands to City Hall

On Thursday, April 4th, Homeless Dave will be pushed in his wheelchair in a procession from Main and Hastings to City Hall. This will be Day 14 of Dave’s hunger strike for social housing and to stop gentrification in the Downtown Eastside.

At City Hall, Dave’s supporters, including Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, will deliver a letter to the Mayor’s office that requests a meeting and a response to hunger strike demands. At this time, Dave will make a presentation and be available for questions. Also, learn about Dave’s weight and health as he enters his third week without food.

In November 2011, Gregor Robertson was elected to a second term as Mayor of Vancouver. He was re-elected to continue building upon the accomplishments of his first three years in office—working to end street homelessness, addressing housing affordability, improving public transit, and making Vancouver the greenest city in the world.

Mayor Robertson is also a national advocate for urban issues as Chair of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Big City Mayors’ Caucus, focusing on public infrastructure, housing and transit.

Mayor Robertson spearheaded the creation of the city’s first comprehensive Economic Action Strategy, and is committed to growing a sustainable and thriving economy in Vancouver focused on high-growth sectors like digital media, clean technology and renewable energy.

Building on the successful legacy of the 2010 Winter Olympics, which has generated over $350 million in economic impact and created more than 3000 new jobs in the Metro Vancouver region, Mayor Robertson has established Vancouver internationally as the Green Capital—a City where going green is good for business. He has also overseen the creation and implementation of the award-winning Greenest City 2020 Action Plan that aims to make Vancouver an environmental leader in everything from energy efficiency and waste reduction to clean air and local food.

Under Mayor Robertson’s leadership, Vancouver continues to rank as one of the most liveable cities in the world, with one of the most competitive environments for attracting new jobs and investment. The City of Vancouver has also been named the Most Innovative Organization in the province by BC Business Magazine for its open data initiative.

He has made affordable housing a top priority, with an aggressive, ten-year plan to provide thousands of affordable housing units for Vancouverites of all ages, while ensuring that existing affordable housing is protected. As Mayor, he has overseen significant progress towards the goal of ending street homelessness by 2015, by opening new homeless shelters while leveraging significant investments in new social housing throughout the city.

Prior to entering politics, Gregor co-founded Happy Planet, a Vancouver-based socially responsible company that produces organic juices and promotes health and nutrition. He and his wife Amy have four children. The Mayor is an avid soccer and hockey fan, and can occasionally be seen around town playing his tuba or drums.

In November 2011, Gregor Robertson was elected to a second term as Mayor of Vancouver. He was re-elected to continue building upon the accomplishments of his first three years in office—working to end street homelessness, addressing housing affordability, improving public transit, and making Vancouver the greenest city in the world.

Mayor Robertson is also a national advocate for urban issues as Chair of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Big City Mayors’ Caucus, focusing on public infrastructure, housing and transit.

Mayor Robertson spearheaded the creation of the city’s first comprehensive Economic Action Strategy, and is committed to growing a sustainable and thriving economy in Vancouver focused on high-growth sectors like digital media, clean technology and renewable energy.

Building on the successful legacy of the 2010 Winter Olympics, which has generated over $350 million in economic impact and created more than 3000 new jobs in the Metro Vancouver region, Mayor Robertson has established Vancouver internationally as the Green Capital—a City where going green is good for business. He has also overseen the creation and implementation of the award-winning Greenest City 2020 Action Plan that aims to make Vancouver an environmental leader in everything from energy efficiency and waste reduction to clean air and local food.

Under Mayor Robertson’s leadership, Vancouver continues to rank as one of the most liveable cities in the world, with one of the most competitive environments for attracting new jobs and investment. The City of Vancouver has also been named the Most Innovative Organization in the province by BC Business Magazine for its open data initiative.

He has made affordable housing a top priority, with an aggressive, ten-year plan to provide thousands of affordable housing units for Vancouverites of all ages, while ensuring that existing affordable housing is protected. As Mayor, he has overseen significant progress towards the goal of ending street homelessness by 2015, by opening new homeless shelters while leveraging significant investments in new social housing throughout the city.

Prior to entering politics, Gregor co-founded Happy Planet, a Vancouver-based socially responsible company that produces organic juices and promotes health and nutrition. He and his wife Amy have four children. The Mayor is an avid soccer and hockey fan, and can occasionally be seen around town playing his tuba or drums.

Breakfast will be generously sponsored by this month’s support partner modo.

ABOUT CREATIVEMORNINGS

CreativeMornings is a monthly morning gathering for creative types. Each event includes a 20 minute lecture, followed by a 20 minute group discussion. The gathering begins at 8:30am with the topic presentation starting at 9:00am and everyone taking off for work at 10am.
CreativeMornings are free of charge!

The Vancouver Guangzhou Friendship Society, The BC-Guangdong Business Council and the City of Vancouver celebrate the 27th Anniversary of the Sister City twinning of the Cities of Vancouver and Guangzhou at Kentizen Restaurant in Vancouver

Mayor Gregor Robertson gives his speech in both Chinese and English!

Guangzhou Cantonese Operatic Troupe

Type: Theatre

An evening of traditional Cantonese Opera.

October 8 2012, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Vancouver Playhouse, 601 Hamilton Street at Dunsmuir

Vancouver

For ticket info 604.299.7222

The Vancouver Guangzhou Friendship Society, The BC-Guangdong Business Council and the City of Vancouver are pleased to host the Guangzhou Cantonese Operatic Troupe to celebrate the 27th Anniversary of the Sister City twinning of the Cities of Vancouver and Guangzhou.

The Troupe, led by Madame Ni Huiying, is composed of a variety of performers well known to those in the global Cantonese Opera community. Madame Ni had previously visited Vancouver about 27 years ago to perform Cantonese Opera, impressing the local community to take steps that eventually led to the signing of the Sister City Agreements in 1985.

For tickets, please contact William Ma at (604) 299-7222 and Ms. Glynnis Chan at (604) 202-3933.

VANCOUVER — Skwachàys Healing Lodge has officially opened to provide affordable housing for thosewho are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, as well as healing lodge apartments for Aboriginal individuals travelling to Vancouver for medical treatment.

“Our government is proud to invest in this important community infrastructure project that will have a positive impact on the lives of Aboriginal people and their families,” said the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. “We will continue to support initiatives like this to strengthen communities, help protect those most vulnerable and promote the health, safety and well-being of Aboriginal people and all Canadians.”

“The Province is working in partnership with other levels of government and communities to help end homelessness and to create housing that helps people move off the streets permanently,” said Rich Coleman, British Columbia’s Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Housing. “This new building is now a safe home for 24 individuals and will provide interim housing for people seeking medical treatment.”

The recently completed housing development provides 24 affordable housing apartments for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The building also provides 18 healing lodge apartments for Aboriginal individuals and their immediate family who need to travel to Vancouver from rural and remote communities for medical services. The building also includes a commercial kitchen, an art gallery and a basement workshop as well as culturally-appropriate services, such as a sweat lodge and smudge room, which provide space for spiritual cleansing and healing.

The building, located at 31 W. Pender St. in Vancouver, is on the site of the former Pender Hotel, one of 24 single-room occupancy hotels the Province purchased in Vancouver to preserve existing housing stock. The hotel was demolished with care to preserve the heritage façade of the original building.

Funding for Skwachàys Healing Lodge comes from a variety of sources. Federal funding includes $2.7 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund as well as $451,500 through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. The Province of British Columbia provided a $4.32-million grant, as well as land equity valued at approximately $2.8 million.

The City of Vancouver provided $490,000 and has waived development cost charges valued at approximately $156,000. Vancouver Native Housing Society is fundraising and contributing in kind funds of $261,000 and will be financing the remaining capital budget.

“Collaborative projects like the Skwachàys Healing Lodge demonstrate the remarkable progress that can be achieved to tackle homelessness when the community and all levels of government come together in creative partnerships,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver. “Vancouver’s population is only three per cent Aboriginal, but the 2012 Vancouver homeless count recently confirmed that over 30 per cent of Vancouver’s homeless population is of Aboriginal heritage. This important project helps to address the urgent need for new affordable housing in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside in a manner that supports Aboriginal peoples and embraces their rich cultural traditions.”

“The Skwachàys name was given to the building by Chief Ian Campbell of the Squamish Nation. It reflects the traditional name for this area, which Chief Campbell referred to as a place of transformation.” said David Eddy, CEO of the Vancouver Native Housing Society. “We placed a traditional longhouse – the first longhouse built in downtown Vancouver since before contact – on top of the building for use as a healing lodge. The longhouse and 40.5-foot story pole make a unique statement of the value and importance of the first peoples that have inhabited this area for millennia. It will not only provide appropriate housing and services to those without a home, but it will also provide affordable, culturally appropriate housing for Aboriginal people travelling to Vancouver for health care during a time when they may be vulnerable and in need of support.”

Vancouver Native Housing Society manages and operates Skwachàys Healing Lodge and the adjacent site located at 27 W. Pender St., which provides 98 affordable apartments. For 20 years, the society has been dedicated to providing housing for the urban Aboriginal community. They also provide programs that enrich the lives of their tenants and others in the community.